Friday, August 7, 2009

12:05 PM

U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl voted to approve $2 billion in additional funding for the "cash for clunkers" program Thursday evening.

The bill passed 60-37, with 6 Republicans endorsing the funding and 4 Dems voting nay. The vote came almost a week after the House approved the funding on the last day before the chamber broke for the August recess.

Feingold said that the program, while flawed, was improving the economy. He added that the extension would fix an auto insurance requirement in the original bill that excluded some Wisconsin drivers.

"Now that the program will continue, I hope that the Department of Transportation takes steps to address the concerns of consumers and car dealers so the program operates more smoothly," Feingold said in a statement.